On this page you will find the latest press releases and statements from the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
11/13/2021 8:20:48 AM
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz will depart for a trade mission that he is leading to the United Kingdom and Finland. The mission will focus on increasing state exports, promoting Minnesota as a premier destination for business investment, developing new business opportunities, and strengthening existing ties.
“Minnesota is a great place to do business. Our goal is to share that message with the world, strengthening trade with our partners in Europe while expanding economic opportunity for businesses and families here in Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “I’ll be joined by business leaders from across the state as we build on our existing relationships and encourage European businesses to start or grow their operations in Minnesota.”
Businesses in Minnesota have a better chance of surviving beyond five years than in any other state in the nation, a compelling reason for businesses in both the United Kingdom and Finland grow their investments and expand in Minnesota.
The mission will bring the state’s business opportunities to the world and share why Minnesota is an exceptional place to start, build, or grow a business. Building off the recent launch of Minnesota’s “ Build What Matters ” campaign, the mission will pitch Minnesota as the problem-solving capital of the United States. Minnesota has long been a state that builds businesses that make global transformations in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, clean energy, and agriculture.
“The Governor’s trade mission is an opportunity for us to showcase the many benefits of doing business with Minnesota, and having operations in our state,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove. “The U.K. is our 8th market for exports, and we believe the time is right to open even more doors for Minnesota’s exporters, including those at the cutting edge of technology in the medical sector, and those addressing the realities of climate change. We’re also excited to visit companies like Uponor – with its global headquarters in Finland – since it has expanded operations 11 times in Minnesota since 1990. We want to share what Uponor already knows, that Minnesota’s innovative talent and skilled workforce can be depended on to drive your business to the next level.”
“Minnesota is bringing a strong delegation of agriculture leaders to the U.K. and Finland to help us highlight the wealth of resources and opportunities we offer the world’s food industries,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We’re home to global food and agriculture companies whose products reach consumers in more than 125 countries. Several foreign-owned food companies already have significant operations in Minnesota, including Kerry, Ornua, and Agropur. We’re excited to showcase what Minnesota has to offer, both as a trade partner and as a good investment for the world’s food industries. We’re equally excited to build stronger relationships with the representatives of these two important trade partners. There’s just no substitute for the face-to-face meetings, and the firsthand knowledge that these trade missions offer.”
The trade mission to the United Kingdom and Finland will occur from November 13-19, 2021, with stops in the major business centers of London and Helsinki. It will have four tracks of concentration: MedTech and Health, Environmental Technologies, Agriculture and Food, and Higher Education.
Both locations – the United Kingdom and Finland – are important trade partners for Minnesota. The United Kingdom was the state’s 8th largest export market in 2020. More than 70 UK-based companies operate at more than 180 business locations in Minnesota, and more than 60 Minnesota companies operate at about 150 business locations in the U.K. Total trade between Minnesota and Finland was valued at $58 million in goods in 2020 – where Minnesota imported $39 million from Finland and exported $19 million to Finland.
The trade mission will kick off in the United Kingdom. On the first stop, Governor Walz will lay a ceremonial Remembrance Day wreath in honor of 27 Minnesotan soldiers and sailors killed in WWI who are buried and commemorated at the Brookwood American Cemetery and Memorial. The second day will include visits with Minister Greg Hands of the State Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as well as Minister Penny Mordaunt of State Trade Policy, followed by a visit to Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. The third day of the tour will continue in London, focusing on networking events to increase trade and business between Minnesota and the United Kingdom. Next, in Finland, Governor Walz will meet with President Sauli Niinistö before meeting with leadership from UPM and Uponor, both of which have operations in Minnesota. The final day of the tour will focus on networking to increase our partnership and trade with Finnish companies. Governor Walz and the delegation will arrive back in Minnesota on Friday, November 19.
Governor Walz will be joined by First Lady Gwen Walz, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, and representatives from the Minnesota Trade Office. The state delegation will be joined by business organizations and leaders from across Minnesota, including:
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